Tucker Named Interim Dean of College of Ag, Science, and Nursing

Goodwell, Okla. — Shawna Tucker is the Interim Dean of the new College of Ag, Science, and Nursing as of July 1, 2018.

Originally from Texhoma, Okla., Tucker has been teaching Mathematics at Panhandle State for 20 years and has served as the Department Chair of Mathematics and Physics for the last eight years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s of Education degree with a Specialization in Mathematics from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Julie Dinger, said, “Ms. Tucker is the right person to helm the consolidation of the School of Agriculture with the School of Math, Science, and Nursing. Her experience and recognition at the state level for her work putting OPSU on Math Pathways is just the start of the good things she will help us do in the coming year.”

Initially, Tucker said “serving in this capacity was not on my radar….at all! However, I became somewhat interested after receiving encouragement from a few fellow faculty members. I was attracted to the challenge of leading the consolidation of two awesome Schools (Agriculture and SMN) into one amazing College of Agriculture, Science, and Nursing (COASN)! Thankfully, because of OPSU’s outstanding leadership and staff, coupled with the absolutely phenomenal faculty in the COASN, the fears have subsided. I’m very excited about this upcoming year and honored to be serving the university as Interim Dean of the COASN.”

The students are Tucker’s favorite thing about Panhandle State. “They are the heart and soul of the university. They make things interesting around here. They keep us on our toes. They require us to improve. They make us come up with creative solutions. They make us PROUD. And, like in any family, our Panhandle Family reciprocates. I believe our faculty and staff strive to make things interesting for the students, keep them on their toes, require their improvement, and make them come up with creative solutions. When a student graduates from OPSU, they can be proud of the quality of their education.”

Each May, she gets to experience the highlight of her career of Panhandle State which involves seeing the students walk across the stage, receive their diplomas, and begin their journey to building a better life. “And not only is a better life realized for the graduate, but also their entire family. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of that process.”

Unity will be a focus for Tucker as she gets set to head the consolidation of the Schools.

She and her husband, Jim, live in Elkhart, Kan. where he farms and serves as a County Commissioner in Morton County. They have four kids, Emily, Macy, Evyn, and Max. She enjoys reading and going to the kids’ activities.